Jersey Residents Decry Cost of Whitney Houston's Memorial Price Tag

New Jersey residents mourned their fellow Garden State native Whitney Houston during an emotional public memorial in February.

But some are now wondering why the event cost so much money, and whether they should have to foot the exorbitant bill, according to CBS’s New York affiliate:

It was a farewell to a beloved star that touched the hearts of many, but it also cost the city of Newark more than $187,000 in police overtime, representing 5 percent of the $4 million budget for the year.

“I think it’s absolutely ridiculous when you have people who are unemployed and homeless, people walking up and down the streets,” Newark resident Quincy Ruffin said….

Nearly 200 police officers were stationed at the New Baptist Church, the funeral home and a family gathering at the Newark Club afterward.